We will be driving from Bayeux to Amboise. We would like to stop in a quaint village/town for lunch. Alencon was recommended to us. Unfortunately the 2 guide books I have (1 of them is RS) doesn't mention the town.
Is it worthwhile to visit? And can you recommend a place for lunch?
We are also open to other recommendations on where to stop. Thanks.
If you drive through the beautiful Perche region, between the towns of Mortagne-au-Perche and Belleme is the wonderful restaurant La Croix d'or in tiny Le pin la garenne. This is our favorite restaurant in the Perche, warmly welcoming, affordable, and delicious. Check that it is open on the day and at the time you plan to pass through. You would need reservations.
Farther south on the same route is Du dauphin in La Ferte Bernard. Excellent food and quiet and attentive service. Check their website for open days and hours. I recommend reservations.
If you have time, a walk around Mortagne, Belleme, or La Ferte Bernard would give you a pleasant break and a look at some architectural gems. The Perche is known for its stone manor houses of the 15th-16th century, some of which you can see on a drive down some country roads.
Recently someone here highly recommended a particular restaurant in Alencon, which caught my interest and we plan to try it on our next visit, but I'll let him give you the name, which I made a note of at the time but can't recall at the moment.
R10, the little blue ice cream shop across from the church doors in Mortagne has the best ice cream I've ever tasted. Their hours change so it's not easy to time a visit right, but I wanted you to know about it just in case.
Thanks for all your suggestions. I believe the restaurant in Aloncon you are thinking about is LE PETIT VATEL.
Yes, Helen, that's it, Le petit Vatel. If you get there before we do, please come back and tell us about your experience. Discovering good restaurants with reasonable prices is one of the treats of going to France, for us.
The restaurant is closed on Sundays-the day of our drive. So unfortunately a visit won't work for us this time.
La croix d'or is open for Sunday lunch and it's very popular.
Because Sunday lunch is a little more festive, we usually don't go to restaurants then but when we do we always enjoy seeing the birthday celebrations or first communion with the whole family in their Sunday best.
But that's why early reservations are necessary, and I understand you may not be able to make the decision advance.
As you probably know, there's a special vibe at Sunday lunch, maybe a little more festive.
Darn this phone! Drop the last paragraph of what I just wrote. And I meant to say "I understand you may not be able to make the decision far in advance."
Fingers crossed I get it right this time.
